27 μm emission in Er^3+-doped transparent tellurite glass ceramics

Er3+-doped transparent tellurite glass ceramics (GCs) containing PbTe3O7 nanocrystals were successfully prepared. The formation of PbTe3O7 nanocrystals was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). It can be deduced that Er3+ ions prefer to concentrate in the PbTe3O7 nanocrystals rather than in glass matrix. Intense 2.7 μm emission was achieved from Er3+-doped GCs upon excitation with a 980 nm LD. Besides, the present tellurite GC possesses large stimulated emission cross section (0.80 × 10−20 cm2) and a low pumping threshold around 2.7 μm indicating that the obtained GC might be an attractive candidate for mid-infrared laser or amplifier.